Door frame with adjustable head



Dec. 2, 1952 A. KAHN DOOR FRAME WITH ADJUSTABLE HEAD Filed June 1, 1949 INVENTOR. 40 057 KM Patented Dec. 2, 1952 DOOR FRAME WITH ADJUSTABLE HEAD August Kahn, Seaford, N. Y.; Harriet H. Kahn,

executrix of said August Kahn, deceased, assignor to The Alumiline Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 1, 1949, Serial No. 96,459

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to-door frames generally, and in particular it relates to door frames having an adjustable head bar component. Door frames are usually provided in a number of stock sizes and shapes, and these stock items include frames having transom bars fixed below the fixed head bar of the frame. For installations where these stock sizes may be fitted without change, they are quite satisfactory. However, in situations wherein the height factor is inconsistent with stock sizing, it is necessary to create-in effecta custom built frame.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a door frame having fixed dimensions from side to side, and from sill to transom bar, and having a head bar, the height of which above the transom bar may be adjusted to individual requirements.

An associated object of the present invention is the provision, in a fixedly dimensioned door frame, of a vertically adjustable head bar component, whereby each installation becomes a custom built job.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a, fixedly dimensioned door frame, having the sides extended upwardly beyond the transom bar, and having a head bar interfitting with the extensions, and being vertically shiftable for securement in any desired position with respect to the transom bar.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a fixedly dimensioned door frame, the sides of which are extended upwardly beyond the transom bar, and have tracks extending longitudinally of the sides, on the inner faces thereof, and having a head bar with track engaging extension therefrom whereby the head bar may be secured to the sides and spaced from the transom bar in any desired position relative thereto.

Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvious, and still others will be specifically pointed out in the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof.

In the drawings annexed hereto,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a, door frame having an adjustable head bar component according to and embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a side extension and the head bar component;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the portions of Figure 2 in united condition; and

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the door frame generally is indicated by reference numeral I0, and comprises a sill I2, sides I4, i l and transom I6. These are permanently fixed together in the relation shown. In the embodiment illustrated, the frame is composed of hollow metallic material, formed by extruding, casting or by other processes. If desired, the frame members may be solid, of wood or similar material. Sides I4, I4 are extended upwardly above transom I6, as indicated at I8, I8, the extensions I8, I8, with the transversely extending transom bar I6 at one point therebetween, and head bar 20 spaced upwardly of bar I6, defining the transom opening, into which a light of glass or other material is mounted.

I provide for the securement of head 20, and its adjustability along sides I8, I8 as follows: A pair of elongated ribs 30, 30 of irregular section, are secured permanently to the inner faces of extensions I8, I8, extending lengthwise and centrally thereof, the securement being by means of countersunk screw 32, 32, extending into extensions I8, I8. The facing sides 34, 34 of ribs 30, 30 recede from each other from the front thereof to the back, forming a mortise shaped trackway 36 of dovetail section (see Figure 4). The outer sides 38, 38 of ribs 38, 30 are normal to the plane of extensions I8, I8.

Head bar 28 is equal in length to the distance between sides I8, I8. When of hollow construction, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the top and bottom of the head bar, at the ends thereof, are double notched, as indicated at 58, Figure 4, the notches being of the same cross-sectional shape as ribs 38, 30 so as to receive said ribs therewithin, the portion of the head bar between the notches 50, constituting a tenon 52, the sides of which flare outwardly to interfit with mortise 36 whereby to retain head bar 20 between side extensions I8, I8 against any removal therefrom except upwardly along trackways 36 as in the expanded view of Figure 2.

Head bar 28, at the top thereof, has anchor brackets as 68, 66 secured to each end, the vertical legs 62, 62 of which are parallel to the inner faces of side extensions I8, I8. After frame I8 is positioned in the wall, head bar 28 is shifted vertically into the desired position. When head bar 28 is located in the desired position, threaded openings 68, 64 are tapped in extensions I8, I8 in line with preformed openings 66, 66, in legs 62, 6'2, and suitable screws employed to make permanent the position of head bar 28 with respect to transom bar I6.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, lengthwise extending spaced ribs as 10, 10 may be secured to the underside of head bar 20. Similar ribs as 12, 12 may be provided atop transom l6. Ribs 30, 30 on side extensions I8, I8 and ribs 10, I0, l2, 12 de fine a frame to receive a window or the like above the door-opening. Normally, of fcourse, the window would *be fitted into ribs 30, -30 and 12, 12 before locked in position by ribs 10, I and the securement of brackets 60, 60 to sides I8, I8.

The advantages of the present construction are the ready adaptability thereof 'toanyspeci'fic'in I stallation, the ease of fitting 'a'nd'assembly, and the custom built end result. is furnished, eirtensions l8, l8 may be quite dong, but :can be cut down as desired very quickly and easily,'using ordinary tools, after head bar is located in proper position.

Having now described the invention, "what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: -;A door frame -comprising a pair of vertically arranged side components, a horizontally -d-isiposed sill member permanently secured between the "side components at the lower ends thereof, :a horizontally *disposed transom member :perma- -rfentlysecuied between the sides'andspaced-trom the upper ends of said side components, and a horizontally arranged head bar disposed between and slidably interfitted with the sides, spaced upwardly of the transom member, and vertically adjustable with respect thereto, and brackets secured permanently to the head bar at both ends thereof, each bracket having a leg portion disposed flatly against the side-component, and fas- '-tening m'eans extendableithr'ough the Elegs and associated sides whereby the head bar can be *fixed to the sides at any desired position above the transom the ends of the head bar having integral lengthwise extending male dovetail elements, the side components having female dovetail trackways extending lengthwise thereof, the

' inale-and female dovetail elements interengaging t'o "provide the vertical adjustability.

AUGUST KAHN.

REFERENCES CITED Number Name Date 1491 031 Kelly 'SeptQS, 1913 2,316,425

I-Iaseriburger etral.1 April'B, 194B 

